Latest Area News Headlines

WORTHINGTON – The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Monday affirmed the Nobles County District Court’s dismissal of a defamation case against St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church and its pastors, brought by LaVonne and Henry Pfeil.

Court documents state the Pfeils were longstanding members of St. Matthew Church who were excommunicated in August of 2011. The following September, Pastor Thomas Braun and Pastor Joe Behnke held a special voters meeting at St. Matthew to determine whether the voting members of the church would affirm the Pfeils’excommunication. The Pfeils and...

WORTHINGTON - The Worthington City Council met in regular session Monday night, with new mayor Mike Kuhle welcoming new council members Larry Janssen and Mike Harmon and honorary council member Steve Forrest, an employee at Hedeen, Hughes and Wettering law firm. Special public recognition was given to The Spirit of Worthington Trojan Marching band Director Jon Loy and his four commanders after their great representation of Worthington at the Outback Bowl in Tampa Florida.

HERON LAKE - Heron Lake Bio Energy, which produces 59 million gallons of ethanol annually, recently completed several energy efficiency projects to install new lighting, an air conditioning unit and variable frequency drive motors. Motor systems can account for approximately 60-70 percent of the total electricity used in an industrial facility. Energy expenditures can be 10 percent or more of the total operating cost. The company expects the new energy efficiency equipment to reduce energy usage and increase cost savings.

WORTHINGTON – The Worthington City Council met Friday morning for a work session to discuss the future of the Prairie View Golf Links, something Mayor Mike Kuhle said he thought would be helpful prior to Monday’s council meeting.

Kuhle said his plan was to keep the course open for this year at the 2014 rates and appoint a long-term committee consisting of council members Diane Graber and Mike Harmon and some members of the community including some who do not golf to study the situation. Kuhle mentioned several names, including Amy Ernst, Scott Rall and Bob Demuth Sr.

HERON LAKE – Blowing snow was a factor in a crash between a Ford Fusion and a semi on Minnesota 60 Thursday afternoon, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. Tim Hoffman, age 40, of New Hope was westbound on Hwy 60 in the Ford Fusion when he rear-ended the semi after losing visibility due to the weather. He was transferred to Sanford Worthington Medical Center. The name and condition of the semi driver are unlisted in the state patrol report.

The crash happened at approximately 1:35 p.m. The state patrol was assisted by the Heron Lake Fire and Ambulance.

WORTHINGTON - The Okabena-Ocheda Watershed District on Tuesday voted unanimously to retain their current positions on the board for 2015. Les Johnson will remain president, Rolf Mahlberg vice president, Jeff Rogers will stay on as secretary and Casey Ingenthron will remain treasurer.

Administrator Dan Livdahl identified several ideas for consideration as part of an annual plan. One is assessing the Prairie View Golf Course property for potential water quality improvement practices. He also noted it may be beneficial to hire a consultant to assess the Sunset Bay Sedimentation Basin....

WORTHINGTON – The Nobles County Commissioners Tuesday observed a traditional changing of the guards – 2014 Chair Marv Zylstra handed over the gavel to Commissioner Matt Widboom, who was named the 2015 Chair. Commissioner Gene Metz was named Vice-Chair for 2015.

Judge Gordon Moore was on hand to swear in Metz and Commissioner Don Linssen, who were both re-elected in November. Moore also swore in Nobles County Attorney Kathy Kusz, Recorder Lynn Wilson, Auditor/Treasurer Beth Van Hove and Sheriff Kent Wilkening. All of them ran unopposed for their seats.

WORTHINGTON - The Worthington Police Department has completed all of the recent hiring and promotion processes to fill the vacant department positions, according to Chief Troy Appel. Since his appointment as Chief of Police on October 6, 2014, the department has filled the positions of Captain with Kevin Flynn, Patrol Sergeant with Josh McCuen, Detective Sergeant/Buffalo Ridge Drug Task Force Commander with Nate Grimmius, Detective with Tyler Olson, BRDTF Agent with Joe Joswiak, and has hired two new patrol officers, Andrew Bromberg and Austin Christensen.

WORTHINGTON – During an information meeting Sunday at St. Mary’s Church in Worthington, attorneys from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota spoke about President Obama’s Executive Action on Immigration Reform, which has the potential to be exploited in a fraudulent manner.

Attorney Sara Karki said frauds are already distributing advertisements, saying they are ready to take their applications. The problem is, forms are still being developed, and the first applications for the Expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) will not be accepted until February, and...